Capital Health's Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program provides a comprehensive outpatient exercise and education program for individuals with symptomatic lung disease—including but not limited to:
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- emphysema
- chronic bronchitis
- pulmonary fibrosis
Our Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program can help you reduce and control the symptoms and complications related to lung disease as well as improve and enhance your quality of life.
Our team of physicians, registered nurses, exercise physiologists, and registered respiratory therapists develop an individualized program based on results of pulmonary function tests, medical history, personal needs and goals. A customized exercise program is developed based on your abilities and limitations. This generally includes training of arm and leg muscles to enhance your performance of routine daily activities as well as breathing retraining to strengthen your breathing muscles. During each exercise session, all activities are carefully structured and monitored.
Monitoring includes:
- Continuous EKG and Heart Rate via Telemetry
- Blood Pressure Checks
- Pulse Oximetry (Oxygen Monitor)
Education plays an essential role in our program and is provided through group and individual interaction. Loved ones are encouraged to participate as well.
Some of the topics include:
- Nutrition and Lung Disease
- Breathing Retraining
- Infection Prevention/Bronchial Hygiene
- Oxygen Use
- Respiratory Medications
- Stress Management
- Conserving Energy
Every participant meets with our registered dietitian to address any individual needs.
Participants attend sessions twice each week. The length of the program varies and depends on each individual’s needs and goals.